A video circulating widely on social media has reignited a long-running historical debate about the origins of the modern Greek state and the decisive role played by the Arvanites—an Albanian-speaking Orthodox population—in the Greek War of Independence of 1821.
In the video, an Arvanite Greek Orthodox priest claims that the first state established after the 1821 uprising was intended to be called "Nea Alvania" (New Albania). According to his account, the revolution was fundamentally an Arvanite (Albanian) revolution, led by military families and commanders of Albanian origin who dominated the struggle against Ottoman rule.
The priest further argues that only later, after European Great Powers backed the creation of a centralized kingdom and Greek became the official language of education and administration, was the new state consolidated under the name Greece. He also alleges that many prominent Arvanite leaders were imprisoned, marginalized, or killed during the political consolidation that followed independence.
The Arvanites and the 1821 Revolution
There is broad agreement among historians that Arvanites played a major role in the Greek War of Independence. Numerous revolutionary commanders came from Arvanite communities, and Albanian dialects were commonly spoken among many of the fighters in southern Greece during the early nineteenth century.
The priest featured in the viral video argues that this contribution has gradually been minimized in official historical narratives. According to him, the revolution was initially driven by Arvanite military elites before evolving into the creation of a modern Greek nation-state.
The Claim About “New Albania”
The most controversial assertion in the video is that the first post-revolutionary state was called "Nea Alvania" (New Albania).
This claim has generated intense discussion online. While it is cited by some writers and appears in various historical discussions, it is not accepted as established historical fact by the mainstream academic consensus. The internationally recognized political entities that emerged from the revolution—including the provisional governments created during the conflict and the Kingdom of Greece established in 1832—are generally documented under Greek political names rather than "Nea Alvania."
Supporters of the theory argue that the strong Arvanite character of the revolutionary movement explains why the term allegedly appeared in certain political discussions or proposals. Critics, however, maintain that no conclusive documentary evidence demonstrates that "Nea Alvania" became the official name of the first Greek state.
References to Ancient and Medieval Figures
Beyond the events of 1821, the priest links the Arvanite heritage to several historical personalities that remain subjects of debate.
He mentions King Pyrrhus of Epirus, describing him as part of the historical legacy of the region, and also refers to Alexander the Great, stating that he was raised and received military education in Epirus under the guidance of his maternal uncle Leonidas of Epirus, a member of the Molossian royal house.
The priest also speaks about Prince Gjin Bua Shpata, the medieval ruler of Arta, arguing that descendants of the Shpata family were among the earliest participants in the uprising in the Peloponnese (Morea).
These interpretations reflect perspectives that are often advanced in Albanian historical discourse but remain debated among historians specializing in the ancient Balkans and the formation of modern national identities.
A Continuing Historical Debate
The viral video has once again highlighted the enduring discussion surrounding the identity of the fighters who led the Greek Revolution and the contribution of the Arvanites to the creation of the modern Greek state.
While historians broadly acknowledge the significant participation of Arvanite communities in the struggle for independence, claims such as the alleged official name "Nea Alvania" (New Albania) remain disputed and require strong primary historical documentation before they can be regarded as established historical fact.
Regardless of where one stands in the debate, the renewed interest generated by the video demonstrates that the complex relationship between Albanian and Greek history continues to provoke discussion nearly two centuries after the events of 1821.